More Topics

Weather Forecast

Al Edenloff

Primary tabs

Al Edenloff is the news and opinion page editor for the Echo Press. He was born in Alexandria and lived most of his childhood in Parkers Prairie. He graduated with honors from Moorhead State University with a degree in mass communications, print journalism. He interned at the Echo Press in the summer of 1983 and was hired a year later as a sports reporter. He also worked as a news reporter/photographer. Al is a four-time winner of the Minnesota Newspaper Association's Herman Roe Award, which honors excellence in editorial writing.

Phone number:

(320) 763-1236

Contact Email

History

Author Content

Next Monday is much more than a day off from work or school. It's a time to honor all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country's freedom. Here is a list of Memorial Day events in the area:  Alexandria. Led by Grand Marshal Dennis Carstens, the Memorial Day parade will form at 8th Avenue and Broadway, starting at 10 a.m., and proceed to the Kinkead Cemetery where a ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. (Read Friday's Echo Press for a story about Carstens.)  Brandon. The parade will start at the Brandon School at 10:15 a.m. led by Grand Marshals Bob and Marlys Olson.

Reconstruction of Fillmore Street, new restrooms at a city park and a new lawn mower. Those were just three of the odds and ends items the Alexandria City Council took care of and its May 14 meeting. The council:  Awarded a $426,622 bid from Breitbach Construction to reconstruct Fillmore Street between 7th and 9th Avenue. It was the lowest of the five bids received and less than the city engineer's estimate of $499,427. Federal and state funds will pay for the bulk of the work.

Lightning is believed to have caused a fire early Saturday morning that destroyed two businesses in Parkers Prairie. Todd Quick, owner of NAPA Auto Parts, was one of the Parkers Prairie firefighters who was paged to the scene at about 12:45 a.m., and it turned out to be his own business that was in flames. "It was the worst scenario," he said. Both the NAPA store and an adjoining business in the 8,000-square-foot building, Unique Auto Body, owned by Jacob Eggert, were destroyed in the blaze.

The person in charge of the crews that maintain streets, fix potholes, plow away snow and tackle other jobs to keep Alexandria's traffic flowing smoothly, is stepping down. Bryan Bjorgaard, public works coordinator for the city of Alexandria for the last five years, submitted his resignation, effective June 27, to the Alexandria City Council Monday night. He's moving to Idaho Falls where his wife recently landed a job. "Thank you for letting me be a servant for this great city for the last few years," Bjorgaard wrote in his letter of resignation.

Here's a pop quiz: What is the number one threat to teenagers? Hint: It's not drugs or crime. The answer is traffic crashes. Another fact: Teens who text while driving increase their risk of crashing by more than 20 times. An event in Alexandria will take place Monday, May 21 to underscore the dangers of distracted driving. Douglas County Safe Communities Coalition, in partnership with Casey's Amusement Park and Partington, Zimny Insurance is inviting teens ages 14 to 17, accompanied by at least one parent or guardian, to experience the dangers associated with distracted driving - but und

With another session of the Minnesota Legislature wrapped up, Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, and Representative Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, put a bow on it Wednesday. During a media stop in Alexandria, they talked about what was accomplished - and what wasn't. Both Ingebrigtsen and Westrom said the biggest disappointment of the session was Governor Mark Dayton's veto to restore some of the education funding that schools lost because of a funding shift. Ingebrigtsen, assistant Senate majority leader, said the measure, which would have provided $430 million to schools, was a "clea

A major upgrade is in the works for 50th Avenue in south Alexandria. City leaders say it will make the road safer, match it up with an existing wider section of the road, and provide better access to the new high school that will open in 2014. At its meeting Monday night, the Alexandria City Council agreed to proceed with the project, estimated to cost $3.1 million, after holding a public hearing that drew concerns from landowners who will be assessed some of the costs. The plan is to completely reconstruct and widen a 3,040-foot section of 50th Avenue between South Broadway and the railroa

Is the breakthrough to build a $975 million Viking stadium a huge victory or a costly boondoggle? It all depends on how you feel about the Minnesota Vikings, state funding and gambling. On Monday, Governor Mark Dayton signed the proposal.

A new $500 million bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law includes an option for public buildings to take advantage of solar energy. Advocates say it will help state schools, hospitals, police stations, and other public buildings to install solar energy this year and into the future. Solar Works for Minnesota said the measure is a good first step toward creating jobs in both construction and manufacturing across Minnesota.

"Do a good turn daily" is the Boy Scouts' slogan. It also applies to Chuck Nettestad of Alexandria. As a Scouting volunteer, he's been doing good turns for others for more than 25 years. Last Wednesday, the Alexandria Sertoma Club turned the table on Nettestad, recognizing his many good deeds in Scouting and other capacities by presenting him with its highest honor to a non-member - the Service to Mankind Award. The award is given to the area's most deserving volunteer.